Crankcase filter assembly

ABSTRACT

A filter assembly that includes a separator for separating gas from a fluid. The assembly includes; a base with surrounding walls that define a fluid reservoir; a baffle that overlies at least a portion of the reservoir; a filter element that is beneath the baffle and in the reservoir; and, a cover that is removably fastened to the base and includes a fluid inlet that terminates in a conical base with an unrestricted opening and the baffle includes a fluid impact cone.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a crankcase filter assembly of the type thatemployees the filter structure to provide inert separation of gas andliquid components as they pass through the filter.

BACKGROUND

Inertial gas-liquid separators are known for use, particularly in dieselengines, in separating gas from liquid particles in a gas-liquid streamby accelerating the stream through holes or nozzles to achieveseparation. In some prior art assemblies, a collection surface is usedfor impingement, which causes separation of the liquid particle from thegas-liquid stream. As a general matter, the prior art assemblies havebeen effective in performing the separation. However, the prior artassemblies are sealed units that are not serviceable and can be subjectto premature replacement due to particle build up caused by theconfiguration of the separation tube.

There is a need for a serviceable assembly and an efficient andeconomical replaceable filter element.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a serviceable filter assembly andreplaceable filter element for the assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

The invention will be more fully understood with reference to thedrawings wherein the same number is used to identify like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a filter assembly with a removable cover that isconfigured to fit the prior art application;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 1 that illustratesthe removable cover, the replaceable filter element and the associatedbaffle;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the removable cover;

FIG. 4 bottom plan view of the removable cover;

FIG. 5 is a section view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the baffle without a filterelement;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the baffle without a filter element;

FIG. 8 is a section view along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 that is rotated toshow the orientation when assembled with a filter element;

FIG. 9 illustrates the baffle of FIGS. 6-8 as it is oriented with aknown filter element; and,

FIG. 10 is a section view along the line 10-10 of FIG. 1 with a portionof the filter removed for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

With reference to FIG. 1, the filter assembly 10 is dimensioned to fitin the preexisting position of a diesel engine and it essentiallyduplicates exterior of the existing filter with the exception of theinterior features described below. The inlet tube 70 and outlet tube 14are in the preexisting positions and use the respective preexistingconnections. The base 20 of the present filter assembly 10 differs inthat it has post 24 that mates with the corner post 66 of the cover 60and a fastener 68 joins them together. The cover 60 has generally flattop side 62 and a raised portion 64 that supports inlet tube 70 andoutlet tube 74. With reference to FIG. 2, the exploded view shows theremovable cover 60, the filter assembly 30, which includes the filter 32and baffle 40. The recess 22 in base 20 essentially duplicates thepreexisting filter except for the posts 24. The base 20 has surroundingwalls 28 that define a fluid reservoir 29.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, the underside of cover 60 illustrates therecess 69 formed in cover 60 by the raised portion 64. FIG. 3 alsoillustrates the raised portions 64 with pins 65 for connecting with thebaffle and corner posts 66 for connecting to the posts 24 of the base20. The inlet tube 70 extends beneath the raised portion 64 of cover 60and terminates in a downwardly directed conical base 76 that defines theunrestricted central aperture 78. FIG. 5 illustrates that the onlyrestriction applied to the terminal end of inlet tube 70 is the conicalbase 76 and the central aperture 78 of conical base 76 is unrestricted.As shown in FIG. 3, perimeter 80 of the recess 69 including an arcuatesection 82 and the outer perimeter wall 84 of the cover 60 includes aconcentric section 86. The sections 82, 86, partially circumscribe theconical base 76.

FIG. 6 illustrates the underside of the baffle 40, which is configuredto accept a known filter 32 that is illustrated in FIG. 2. The apertures42 through baffle 40 receive the pins 65 when the baffle 40 is assembledto the cover 60. Currently, the preferred fit between apertures 42 andpins 65 is a releasable press fit that is sufficient to hold the partstogether for assembly with the base 20; however, other forms ofconnections that are secure and can be separated are usable. Since theremaining elements of baffle 40 seen on the filter facing surface 44 arefound in the prior art, they are not described further herein. Withreference to FIGS. 7 through 10, the baffle 40 has a portion inaccordance with the invention that receives the conical base 76 andtogether with conical base 76 forms the separator 50 illustrated in FIG.10. The fluid impact portion of separator 50 on cover facing surface 43of baffle 40 has an upstand ring 52 and a flat ring 54 that are adjacentto and surround the conical recess 56, and a semi-circular wall 58 thatmeets the outer perimeter wall 41 of baffle 40 and is spaced from theother separator elements by the flat ring 59. As shown in FIG. 6, theupstand ring 52 adjoins the perimeter wall 41 of baffle 40. As shown inFIG. 10, when they are assembled, the semi-circular wall 58 also mesheswith the concentric section 86 of the cover 60. The lower end 57 ofconical recess 56 is a closed, generally flat surface.

As those skilled in the art will recognize by reference to FIG. 10, thepresent invention operates in the same manner as the prior art in thatfluid entering inlet tube is accelerated by the conical base 76. Theunrestricted central aperture 78 adds to the acceleration of the fluiddirected toward the conical recess 56. The space provided in separator50, between the conical base 76 and the conical recess 56, enables gasentrapped within the fluid to separate from the fluid. At the same time,the upstand ring 52 and semi-circular wall 58 control the fluid flow,which eventually overflows the semi-circular wall 58, flows cover facingsurface of baffle 40 and drains down to the filter element.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter assembly comprising: a base withsurrounding walls that define a fluid reservoir; a filter elementpositioned within the reservoir; and a separator for separating gas froma liquid, the separator including: a baffle with an outer perimeter thatoverlies at least a portion of the reservoir; and a removable cover thatis fastened to the base and defines a fluid inlet that terminates in anopen base; wherein the baffle includes a closed recess that is spacedfrom the open base of the removable cover and is surrounded by anupstanding ring and a semi-circular portion of the outer perimeter ofthe baffle.
 2. The filter assembly of claim 1, the cover furthercomprising an outer perimeter wall having a rounded section that mesheswith the semi-circular portion.
 3. The filter assembly of claim 1, thebaffle further comprising a perimeter wall that meets both the upstandring and the semi-circular portion.
 4. A filter assembly that includes aseparator for separating gas from a liquid, the assembly comprising: abase with surrounding walls that define a fluid reservoir; a baffle thatoverlies at least a portion of the reservoir, the baffle concentricallyincluding a flat ring, an upstand ring, and a wall; a filter that isbeneath the baffle and in the reservoir; a removable cover that includesa fluid inlet upstream from the filter and a fluid outlet downstreamfrom the filter; a plurality of fasteners for joining the removablecover and the base; and, a plurality of separable connections forholding the baffle on the removable cover; wherein the cover cooperateswith the flat ring, the upstand ring, and the wall to form the separatorand the fluid inlet terminates in a conical base with an unrestrictedopening.
 5. The filter assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality ofseparable connections provides a releasable press fit.
 6. A separatorfor separating gas from a liquid in a filter assembly, the separatorcomprising: a base with surrounding walls that define a fluid reservoir;a baffle with an outer perimeter that overlies at least a portion of thereservoir; and a removable cover that is fastened to the base anddefines a fluid inlet that terminates in an open base; wherein thebaffle includes a closed recess that is spaced from the open base and issurrounded by an upstand ring and a concentric semicircular wall of theouter perimeter of the baffle.
 10. The separator of claim 6, wherein theclosed recess is coaxial with the open base and terminates in a closedlower end.
 11. The separator of claim 6, wherein an outer perimeter wallof the removable cover and the semicircular wall of the baffle mesh todelineate the separator.